Nesting Box ?

[birdlady79]

Hi, my hens are mainly between 15-18 weeks.... At what point do I need to open nesting boxes? All my birds roost, so I'm hoping my 2 youngest ones don't start sleeping in there..... Also I'm feeding 23% chick starter....I'm fixing to have to buy food, should I get flock raiser or layer? Thank you

 

[peeweesfarm]

you can start layer ,I fed 2 bags chick starter then went to layer ,with no problems , my hens started laying last Sept. an layed all winter ,






I would open the nest boxes up to them so they can figure out what there for

 

[birdlady79]

you can  start layer ,I fed 2  bags chick  starter then  went  to  layer ,with  no problems , my hens started  laying  last Sept.  an  layed all  winter ,






I would  open  the  nest  boxes  up  to  them  so  they  can  figure out  what  there  for

Great thanks!! How many weeks were yours when they started laying?

 

[peeweesfarm]

12 to 14 weeks there mixed breeds an ( barn yard Mutts),
heres a pic taken in December

 

[birdlady79]

12 to 14 weeks there mixed breeds an ( barn yard Mutts), heres a pic taken in December

Oh wow!! They are pretty ... Thx for info..

 

[ShockValue]

My chickens are about 13 weeks now. They all roost properly, and the roost bar is well above the nest boxes.

I decided to open mine up last week. So far, no problems. I actually put each chicken in a box so they knew what was in there. They immediately hopped back out and haven't give the boxes another glance.

I just hope when it's time, they remember that nice spot I showed them


I would open them up, and monitor them just to make sure they're not trying to sleep in them. It's a bad habit that's hard to break (so I've read.)

 

[birdlady79]

My chickens are about 13 weeks now.  They all roost properly, and the roost bar is well above the nest boxes.

I decided to open mine up last week.  So far, no problems.   I actually put each chicken in a box so they knew what was in there.  They immediately hopped back out and haven't give the boxes another glance.

I just hope when it's time, they remember that nice spot I showed them


I would open them up, and monitor them just to make sure they're not trying to sleep in them.   It's a bad habit that's hard to break (so I've read.)

Thank you.... I'm going to open mine up next wed... Were going out of town and my mom is chick sitting... I don't want to stress her out .. Lol..... I'm going to pick them all up tonight and see if their pelvis has spread any..... Not exactly sure what I'm looking for but maybe I'll figure out.... I'm getting so excited for eggs!! Lol

 

[ShockValue]

Me too! I checked to see if any of my hens would squat for me last night. They all looked at me like I was crazy.

 

[sacchick]

Me too! I checked to see if any of my hens would squat for me last night. They all looked at me like I was crazy.

I noticed my 16 week old Ameracauna was getting noisy and was a little more pushy, she is low in the pecking order of 4. I reached for her back to test and she gave me the submissive squat. a week later, last Sunday my first ever egg!!! Yes it is true!!

 

[birdlady79]

I noticed my 16 week old Ameracauna was getting noisy and was a little more pushy, she is low in the pecking order of 4. I reached for her back to test and she gave me the submissive squat. a week later, last Sunday my first ever egg!!! Yes it is true!!

Well 1 of mine is very noisy!! Lol, but they all ran away from me tonight...I'll try again in a few days I guess... . Hopefully soon!!